Plausible and insane theories on Malaysian plane disappearance

The seemingly impossible vanishing act of a Malaysian airliner has entranced the world. See some of the crazy and not-so-crazy theories people have come up with to explain why the plane has gone missing.

In March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 seemingly disappeared from the face of the planet during a scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, China. Despite a global search effort, no traces of the place have been been located. The lack of concrete information available has given rise to a wide variety of theories, some reasonable and others not-so-reasonable. less

In March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 seemingly disappeared from the face of the planet during a scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, China. Despite a global search effort, no traces of the ... more

One hypothesis being circulated is that hackers may have gained access to the plane's flight management system. Some have pointed to the "PlaneSploit" app created by Hugo Teso, a Spanish cybersecurity expert. Boeing and the FAA have dismissed these claims, saying Teso's software was only tested on pilot-training software, not the real thing. less

One hypothesis being circulated is that hackers may have gained... Photo-5392255.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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Taken down by hackers

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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Phantom cellphones

Early in the search, there were reports that family members of those passengers who disappeared had heard their phones ringing after the plane disappeared. A wireless analyst told NBC News that just because you may hear a ringing, doesn't mean that the other person's phone is. less

Early in the search, there were reports that family members of those passengers who disappeared had heard their phones ringing after the plane disappeared. A wireless analyst told NBC News that just because you ... more

Photo: Martin Leigh, Getty Images

Early in the search, there were reports that family members of... Photo-6324709.82249 - Houston Chronicle

Some theorists believe the U.S. captured Flight 370 and flew it to... Photo-6291526.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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Meteor strike

In this frame grab made from a video done with a dashboard camera, on a highway from Kostanai, Kazakhstan, to Chelyabinsk region, Russia, provided by Nasha Gazeta newspaper, on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 a meteorite contrail is seen. A meteor streaked across the sky of Russia?s Ural Mountains on Friday morning, causing sharp explosions and reportedly injuring around 100 people, including many hurt by broken glass. (AP Photo/Nasha gazeta, www.ng.kz) less

In this frame grab made from a video done with a dashboard camera, on a highway from Kostanai, Kazakhstan, to Chelyabinsk region, Russia, provided by Nasha Gazeta newspaper, on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 a meteorite ... more

Photo: HOEP

In this frame grab made from a video done with a dashboard camera,... Photo-4203446.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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The 'black hole' theory

During a segment on the missing airliner, CNN anchor Don Lemon asked his panelists if a "black hole" had simply swallowed up the plane. Mary Schiavo, formerly with the U.S. Department of Transportation, debunked that idea on the very same segment. “A small black hole would suck in our entire universe, so we know it’s not that,” she said. less

At one point, BBC News reported the plane was headed toward the Indian Ocean, specifically the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. It is believed that radar may not have been operating in the area because the threat level there is "low." less

At one point, BBC News reported the plane was headed toward the Indian Ocean, specifically the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. It is believed that radar may not have been operating in the area because the ... more

Because of the lack of any visible debris, an explosion could have occurred on the plane and disintegrated it. The Daily Express reports a single container of mangosteens on board the flight could have been a bomb. less

Because of the lack of any visible debris, an explosion could have occurred on the plane and disintegrated it. The Daily Express reports a single container of mangosteens on board the flight could have been a ... more

Photo: KARL MERTON FERRON

Because of the lack of any visible debris, an explosion could have... Photo-2465615.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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Pakistan landing

Like the Kazakhstan theory, some believe the plane may have landed in Pakistan. The Star reports an official with Pakistan says their radar never spotted the plane

Like the Kazakhstan theory, some believe the plane may have landed in Pakistan. The Star reports an official with Pakistan says their radar never spotted the plane

Photo: Remo Massima

Like the Kazakhstan theory, some believe the plane may have landed... Photo-3494031.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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Pakistan landing

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An act of terrorism

In tandem with the hijacking theory, some believe the plane is in the hands of terrorists who are poised to use it in some future attack. On March 9, News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch tweeted, "777crash confirms jihadists turning to make trouble for China. Chance for US to make common cause, befriend China while Russia bullies." less

In tandem with the hijacking theory, some believe the plane is in... Photo-5172039.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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Plane shot down

Several people believe the plane may have been shot out of the air by another country's military. Such a situation would not be unheard of. In the 1980s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union fired upon passenger planes believed to have, at the time, posed a potential threat. less

Several people believe the plane may have been shot out of the air by another country's military. Such a situation would not be unheard of. In the 1980s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union fired upon passenger ... more

Photo: Adam Jan, AFP/Getty Images

Several people believe the plane may have been shot out of the air... Photo-4343961.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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A plane up in flames

On Wired, veteran pilot Chris Goodfellow suggested a simple theory: the plane suffered an electrical fire on board. The fire theory would explain the loss of communications and signals from the plane.

On Wired, veteran pilot Chris Goodfellow suggested a simple theory: the plane suffered an electrical fire on board. The fire theory would explain the loss of communications and signals from the plane.

On March 17, singer Courtney Love proposed the plane may have crashed in the waters near the island of Pulau Perak. She even drew crude MSPaint-like drawings on a satellite image to prove her point on her Facebook fan page. less

On March 17, singer Courtney Love proposed the plane may have crashed in the waters near the island of Pulau Perak. She even drew crude MSPaint-like drawings on a satellite image to prove her point on her ... more

Much of the media's attention has been focused on missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah (R). Despite allegations of possible foul play on his part, police haven't turned up anything to indicate the 53-year-old grandfather or his co-pilot, 27-year-old Fariq Abdul Hamid, have done anything wrong. less

Much of the media's attention has been focused on missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah (R). Despite allegations of possible foul play on his part, police haven't turned up anything ... more

Photo: Samsul Said, Reuters

Much of the media's attention has been focused on missing... Photo-6036758.82249 - Houston Chronicle

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Depressurization

Talking to ABC News, licensed pilot Randy Padfield posited that depressurization happened on the plane and incapacitated everyone on board. A similar incident happened to golfer Payne Stewart in 1999, CNN reported. Stewart's plane suffered a loss in cabin pressure leading him and everyone else on board to die of hypoxia. less

Talking to ABC News, licensed pilot Randy Padfield posited that depressurization happened on the plane and incapacitated everyone on board. A similar incident happened to golfer Payne Stewart in 1999, CNN ... more

reported some conspiracy theorists believe the plane may have turned "invisible" thanks to newly-developed technologies. Their evidence? A passenger on the plane worked for Freescale Semiconductor, a Texas-based company that specializes in microprocessors and sensor technology.